You delivered the work. You sent the invoice. And now your German client is not responding. Maybe it has been weeks. Maybe there has been a vague promise to pay "soon" that never materialised. This is a situation international service providers and companies face more often than they should — and it is worth knowing exactly what German law puts in your hands.
Before you can use most legal tools in Germany, you need to have put your debtor in default (Verzug). The standard way to do this is a formal written demand — a Mahnung — that sets a clear deadline for payment and makes plain that legal action will follow if the debt remains unpaid. While a first reminder may be polite in tone, this step should be documented and sent with evidence of delivery. If you have already specified payment terms in your contract or invoice (for example, "payable within 14 days"), German law may consider the debtor already in default without a separate reminder — but a formal Mahnung is good practice regardless.
If your debtor ignores your demand, you can apply to a German court for a Mahnbescheid — a court-issued payment order. This is handled administratively, without a full hearing, and can be obtained at relatively low cost. The debtor is served with the order and has two weeks to oppose it. If they do not respond, the order becomes enforceable. You can then apply for a Vollstreckungsbescheid, which gives you the right to enforce against the debtor's assets — bank accounts, salary, or property — through a court bailiff.
The catch: if the debtor does oppose, the matter moves to ordinary civil proceedings. This is not necessarily a dead end, but it does mean a fuller court process if the claim is contested.
For larger unpaid invoices — or where there is a genuine dispute about the underlying contract — ordinary court proceedings (Klageverfahren) may be unavoidable. German civil procedure is generally efficient by European standards, and courts in major commercial centres like Munich are well-versed in international business disputes. Depending on the amount, the case may be heard by a local court (Amtsgericht) or the regional court (Landgericht). Legal costs in Germany follow a statutory fee schedule, so the financial stakes are broadly predictable from the outset.
It is also worth considering whether interim measures (einstweilige Verfügung) are warranted where there is a risk the debtor may move assets out of reach before a judgment can be enforced.
German limitation periods are strict. Most contract claims expire three years after the end of the calendar year in which they arose. Missing that window means losing your claim entirely — regardless of how clear-cut it was. Acting promptly, and with the right legal support, makes a significant difference to the outcome.
HUFELD advises international companies navigating German debt recovery from the first demand letter through to full enforcement. Our team works in English and understands the practical realities of cross-border payment disputes — including the cultural and procedural differences that can catch international clients off guard. Contact HUFELD for an initial consultation in English — we'll give you a clear picture of your options under German law.
Are you looking for a specific topic?
.png)
.png)